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Lyn

Type of engine:

steam

The World's newest steam loco is now at Woody Bay!

LYN at Woody Bay September 2017. The new LYN arrived at Woody Bay in September 2017. Running-in trials showed that the ex MOD 1 in 5 turnouts at Killington Lane could not accommodate the loco safely. New turnouts were installed and LYN can be seen in operation on selected days. (Photo- Jon Pain)

At its opening in May 1898, the legendary narrow-gauge Lynton & Barnstaple Railway in North Devon was equipped with three Manning Wardle 2-6-2 tank engines. Two months later they were joined by a Baldwin 2-4-2. The Baldwin was named 'LYN' but commonly referred to by the staff as 'The Yankee'.

LYN was built to a unique design, ordered and delivered in a very short time by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in Philadelphia, USA. When the Southern Railway took over the line in 1923, they added a letter E (For Eastleigh works - the Southern shed Pilton was seconded to) as well as the number 762.

Despite a few teething problems, LYN was a popular and distinctive engine that was also the most powerful on the line - on occasion pulling five-coach trains, one more than normally allowed.

Closure of the line came in September in 1935, and after the November auction - when LYN was sold for £50 - the loco was quickly reduced to a pile of scrap with only the nameplates, head-lamp and gauge glass surviving.

LYN in bits - Pilton Shed 1935 (LT Catchpole)

The 762 Club - a registered charity - was set up to construct, own and maintain a new LYN for operation on the new Lynton & Barnstaple Railway. The loco is not a replica, but a new-build and is the most advanced steam engine to-date built in the UK and has a gas producer combustion system.